Photo from malias, CC
On January 25, Senator Barbara Boxer (you didn’t think it was Mike Tyson, did you?) put forth two pieces of legislation that would regulate two chemicals that have wreaked havoc on the peace of minds of good Barstonians and Hinkleyites: Chromium 6 and perchlorate.
If passed, the bill will require that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set a health advisory on the two chemicals within 90 days. After that, the EPA must also establish a federal drinking water standard. The bill did not state what a safe amount of the chemicals would be, and instead left that to the EPA.
The State of California does have a standard of about 100 parts per billion for Chromium 3 and 6.
After finding out about the study that showed no ill effect on Hinkley residents for having Chromium 6 in their water supply, I’m skeptical as to its effects and to whether it’s really harmful. I’m not a denyer though, and if someone can point me to some data that contradicts the study then I’ll be even less sure what to think. Which is fine! Skepticism is great!
Perchlorate, the chemical that led then-governor Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency of Barstow, is considered to be less dangerous then Chromium 6.
Whilethe source of Hinkley’s Chromium 6 contamination is known, the source of the perchlorate contamination in Barstow is still under investigation. The last rumor I’ve heard is that it may be from an abandoned fireworks factory. Hinkley’s contamination started in the mid-1900s when Chromium 6 was used as an anti-rusting agent sprayed on water towers.
Chromium 6 is everywhere, but is it dangerous!?! – A study of tap water from earlier this week shows that the chemical which has been the bane of Hinkley, CA residents, is also in at least 31 major cities. A study by the Environmental Working Group surveyed 35 cities, and found 31 of them to [...]
Past, Present Hinkley Residents Attend Chromium 6 Meeting – Past and present Hinkley residents, about 300 of them, packed into the Hinkley School gymnasium for a hearing regarding Pacific Gas & Electric’s proposed cleanup for the chromium 6 plume underneath the town. The meeting was hosted by the Lahontan Water Quality Control Board.
Previous reports had [...]
